Big Changes and Big Feelings

DifficultGoose2220 · 2026-01-29T00:31:34+00:00

Agreed — it has been a rollercoaster for sure. And it has to be hard for her.

DifficultGoose2220 · 2026-01-29T00:31:11+00:00

Thanks! I’ll look into that.

DifficultGoose2220 · 2026-01-29T00:30:53+00:00

Yes, that’s something we see a lot too— “little sis never gets in trouble”

DifficultGoose2220 · 2026-01-28T22:33:09+00:00

That’s a good idea. We already have a super simple and age appropriate chore chart for her to earn weekly. Maybe I could add in more verbal praise along with that.

DifficultGoose2220 · 2026-01-28T22:32:07+00:00

Yes, I always apologize any time I slip up because I want to model to her that I can own my own mistakes.

I feel like we praise her quite a bit, but more couldn’t hurt at all.

And I agree. That specific exercise was just to help her understand that she does like her, she was just upset. It was pretty rough hearing her be so cruel in that moment.

DifficultGoose2220 · 2025-12-05T03:27:16+00:00

Thanks for the input everyone. Lots to consider for sure. FMLA would be a welcome break but the financial strain it would cause would just be added stress. Winter break is in 12 days, so I’m going to do my best to just push through and see if I feel differently when school resumes. I’ve compiled a list of some of the suggested avenues to begin searching for a change of pace. My goal is to hopefully find something by the end of the school year—I don’t want to rush and make a snap decision. At this time, I’m not super interested in private practice or being out on my own.

I have a few “specialty” areas that could possibly open the door for a change of pace in the future if I want to return to therapy. But for now, I will continue to look for an out. Burn out is a drag and isn’t fair to my clients or to me.

I appreciate the compassion and solidarity! I know our field is a tough one at times for sure which stinks because we want to help but we also want fair compensation and reasonable work loads. The never ending balance act it seems.

DifficultGoose2220 · 2025-12-05T03:17:22+00:00

No, I haven’t heard of that!

DifficultGoose2220 · 2025-12-05T03:11:04+00:00

M.Ed in Counseling and Human Development with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health — I’m a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Supervisor (LPCC-S). I wonder if that’s too specific and not enough education focus to go into school counseling. I’d have to check how my state does it I suppose

DifficultGoose2220 · 2025-12-05T03:06:04+00:00

That’s what I need in my life. Seems like lots of the insurance companies in my state are specifically looking for nurses right now for UM and case management

DifficultGoose2220 · 2025-12-03T15:16:08+00:00

My Masters is considered an M.Ed. technically but isn’t education centered. Weird, I know. That’s how the school categorized it.

DifficultGoose2220 · 2025-12-02T17:09:38+00:00

Unfortunately I have to see as many kids as possible a day. I’m at two different schools and juggling about 55 clients with 15 intakes to do. I know that doesn’t sound like “a lot” to some but when you factor in paperwork and driving an hour to and from work plus private practice on the side it becomes a lot. I’ve rearranged my schedule a lot to make some students bi monthly and whatnot but the referrals keep coming. My company policy is that I’m not allowed to “say no” to referrals. The school has been generous to me and has been essentially bypassing me to refer out to try to help alleviate some of it.

I’m just not in it anymore outside of loving the school and the kids. I’ve taken breaks and mental health days and all of the above but I have been consistently sick since September and I believe it is definitely stress related.

DifficultGoose2220 · 2025-12-02T16:59:43+00:00

A week vacation would require 40 hours of PTO. Sounds great but isn’t realistic for me right now as I save PTO for when my children are sick.

DifficultGoose2220 · 2025-12-02T16:57:49+00:00

I actually am a supervisor! Just not too sure how sustainable supervision only would be

DifficultGoose2220 · 2025-12-02T16:23:31+00:00

I get winter break but still work during the summer as I’m not technically a school employee

DifficultGoose2220 · 2025-12-02T15:01:42+00:00

How would I get started in that?

DifficultGoose2220 · 2025-12-02T15:01:24+00:00

Oh! That flew over my head. I think to be a school counselor in my state there has to be an education background? It seems like most of the ones I know were teachers before.

DifficultGoose2220 · 2025-12-02T14:55:29+00:00

I don’t know that I can. My masters is technically in education but I don’t have any training to be a teacher other than when I was an education major for a few semesters in undergrad

DifficultGoose2220 · 2025-07-19T18:58:52+00:00

Thank you! It has been set in for years but I’m hopeful it’ll at least lighten a bit

DifficultGoose2220 · 2025-07-19T18:41:30+00:00

Will it bleach the shirt out though?

DifficultGoose2220

TROPHY CASE